Apple Tree Day Nursery & Preschool, Hove

Emotional security is the strongest thread at Apple Tree Day Nursery & Preschool, Hove: familiar adults, predictable routines and help for children who need a quieter moment. At its 26 February 2026 inspection, Ofsted awarded Strong standard for inclusion, welfare and wellbeing, and behaviour, attitudes and routines; achievement, curriculum and teaching, and leadership and governance reached Expected standard, with safeguarding standards met. That is a balanced picture, with care receiving stronger judgements than teaching.

The setting takes children from birth to five at 201 New Church Road, Hove. Natural materials shape its surroundings, while the emphasis on rooms organised by age group gives families a useful starting point for thinking about their child's daily company. The important distinction is between the whole nursery and the group a child actually spends time with.

Teaching deserves attention alongside those strengths. In February 2026, less confident and less experienced staff did not consistently develop children's learning further. The next steps concerned staff knowledge, extending activities and making each child's learning goals clearer.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage guides learning through play, with communication, physical development and personal and social development forming the foundations for later learning. It is the common framework for early years provision, rather than an extra programme unique to Apple Tree.

In February 2026, everyday play gave that framework practical expression. Water play introduced ideas about volume, while jumping through hoops in the garden became an opportunity to count. Children acted out Goldilocks and the Three Bears and explored differences in size through the story. These are useful combinations: movement, conversation and mathematical ideas share the same activity, rather than being treated as separate tasks.

Babies had opportunities to crawl and toddle, and picking oats from a tray exercised their fingers. Older children practised cooperation through games and taking turns. Activities therefore included both the physical work of early development and the social work of learning to play with someone else.

Choice also had a place. During February 2026, babies selected toys and resources suited to their stage of development, while children used everyday routines to practise doing things independently. Putting on coats and helping themselves at meals gave independence a concrete purpose.

Outdoor and Community Life

Natural materials are part of the current setting's environment. In February 2026, outdoor play was accessible to children, and the garden supported active learning through the hoop-counting activity. That physical space matters because movement could contribute to learning as well as provide a change from indoor play.

The teaching limitation should remain in view alongside those examples. In February 2026, some staff needed more support to recognise when an activity could be developed further. For parents, the useful distinction is between having engaging resources and using them consistently to move each child's understanding forward.

Relationships and Communication

At the February 2026 inspection, Ofsted found strong emotional support and inclusion, with targeted SEND provision, effective communication with families and secure progress for children with SEND. The practical detail behind that judgement is more useful than a broad promise of individual care.

In February 2026, conversations and progress discussions between parents and key staff covered achievements, developing needs and concerns. Staff worked with families and outside agencies, while additional funding supported individual adult help and specialist resources. Sensory resources and visual prompts helped children participate in activities. These mechanisms gave support a form that families could understand and discuss.

Familiar adults also helped children manage their feelings. During February 2026, staff responded to children who needed to leave a busy space or spend a reassuring moment with their key person. Children were helped to recognise emotions and put names to them. A predictable routine still allowed room for different emotional needs.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

In February 2026, toileting support respected children's privacy and developing independence. Sleep was closely monitored, and adults positioned themselves facing children at meals. Teeth brushing formed part of the day, turning a care routine into a practical lesson about looking after oneself.

Allergy and medical arrangements involved clear procedures and cooperation with parents in February 2026. Families also received advice on healthy eating. The useful point is the connection between nursery routines and information shared with parents, rather than treating health needs as a separate conversation.

Preparation for school included contact with teachers from local schools in February 2026. This supported the transition, including for children with SEND. Alongside that contact, everyday habits such as dressing, sharing and expressing ideas gave children practical experience relevant to their next stage.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and the nursery operates throughout the year. That gives families a clear operating window to compare with work and other commitments.

New enquiries use 01273 271969. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

Getting There

The address is 201 New Church Road, Hove, BN3 4ED, with free parking outside. Boundary Road and Portslade main line train station are just 5 minutes walk away, providing a useful connection for families travelling by train or combining nursery with errands nearby.

• Teaching beyond the activity. February 2026 brought clear next steps around staff expertise and extending learning. On a visit, ask how staff now turn a child's interest into a clear next learning step, and how that is shared with parents.
• Your baby's daily group. Children are organised around rooms and age groups, while the care findings emphasised familiar relationships. Ask how many babies usually share the room on your intended days and how their key-person arrangements work.
• Attendance and the written quotation. The operating window runs from 8am to 6pm on weekdays. Ask which booking pattern fits your intended attendance and request a quotation separating funded hours, private hours, food and non-food consumables.

Apple Tree suits families who place a high value on emotional support, predictable routines and a practical response to additional needs. The February 2026 findings give those priorities substance: communication with families, targeted resources and familiar adults were established parts of care.

For families arranging weekday childcare across the year, the opening window and New Church Road address are useful practical anchors. The teaching development points remain the main question to explore. Caring relationships were a strength; consistently extending every child's learning was the work still to do.